USC wide receiver Marqise Lee caught only two passes in the first half against Stanford, but they evoked memories of Lee’s award-winning 2012 season. He yanked a Cody Kessler pass out of the air and planted his feet at the 1-yard line to set up the Trojans’ first touchdown.

The margin for error was so thin on the play two game officials huddled before ruling it a catch. Lee then made a similarly difficult catch on a two-point conversion that gave the Trojans a 14-7 lead. He opened the third quarter with a 27-yard catch.

Lee’s been bothered by a sprained knee for nearly six weeks but looked like his old self against the Cardinal.

More penalties than usual

Stanford incurs the second-lowest amount of penalties in the Pac-12 with less than 40 yards per game. But the Cardinal already amassed 60 yards just one play into the second half.

Sarao starts strong

Linebacker Anthony Sarao rarely gets noticed, but he is playing more since starter Lamar Dawson suffered a season-ending knee injury. Sarao was active in the first half with a team-high seven tackles.

Back in spotlight

USC kicker Andre Heidari’s struggles were back in the spotlight when he missed the extra point on the Trojans’ first touchdown. Heidari has missed three extra points and seven field goals this season.

Four of those missed field goals occurred in losses to Washington State and Notre Dame although one was blocked and not Heidari’s fault.

But Heidari rebounded to kick the winning field goal and then sprinted to the opposite end zone to celebrate, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Scott speaks

Pacific-12 Conference commissioner Larry Scott attended the game and said there was nothing to report regarding the failure to get DirecTV to carry the Pac-12 Network.

Scott was asked about inconveniences posed for fans who attend conference games this season, such as increased night games and the delay in announcing kickoffs. Some USC kickoffs are not announced until six days before the game.

“We’re always listening to what our members (schools) and fans are saying,” Scott said. “There are tradeoffs and it’s a balancing act. We are trying to elevate the conference’s profile.”